Guy Roux retires after 44 years
Auxerre coach Roux quits after 44 years
PARIS, June 5 (Reuters) - AJ Auxerre coach Guy Roux announced on Sunday he was ending his career after starting on the Burgundy side's bench in 1961.
'I have decided to quit,' Roux, 66, told French television channel TF1 a day after his side clinched their fourth French Cup with a 2-1 win over Sedan.
Roux, the longest-serving coach in European soccer history, added: 'I am not retiring, I am just changing my activities.'
Roux underwent heart surgery in November 2001 but said his decision was not linked with his health.
'I want to stop before declining and after a good season for the club,' he said.
'I do not want to betray those who have trusted me during these long years by doing one season too many.'
Roux, who launched the careers of players such as Eric Cantona, Basile Boli and world champion Bernard Diomede, steered the club from the regional division to the top flight in the space of 19 years.
'I want to pay tribute to someone who has given so much to his club and also to French soccer,' said Boli, who won the Champions League with Olympique Marseille.
Under Roux's leadership, Auxerre clinched all their four Cups, in 1993, 1996, 2003 and 2005, and won the championship in 1996.
They reached the Champions League quarter-finals in 1997 and the UEFA Cup semi-finals in 1993.
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From soccernet. Ah, makes me sad to hear. What a legend. Almost half a century of service and created a big club out of nothing. At least he retired in a positive way.
